ADHD in the News 2017-10-19
Could micronutrient supplements combat ADHD?
A recent study examined whether or not vitamin and mineral supplements might ease ADHD symptoms, and it yielded encouraging results...For the recent study, Julia Rucklidge and her colleagues from the University of Canterbury in New Zealand used Daily Essential Nutrients (DENs), which contain 13 vitamins, 17 minerals, and four amino acids. Their study was the first fully blinded randomized, controlled trial of children with ADHD who were not taking medication.
Nearly a Third of College Kids Think ADHD Meds Boost Grades
Many college students who abuse ADHD drugs mistakenly believe that doing so will lead to better grades, a new survey suggests. Past research has found that college students commonly misuse stimulant medications such as Ritalin and Adderall as "study aids." That's despite the fact that there is no evidence the drugs help kids who do not have attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD).
Should we give different media guidance for young children with ADHD, autism?
The guiding principle for media use by children with ADHD or ASD should be to use it as a tool to build skills, rather than viewing media use only as a highly preferred activity or “rabbit hole” in which they get lost. Here are some discrete points to use when advising parents:
Most adolescents with ADHD have indifferent attitudes toward medication
Results showed that 83% of study participants had an indifferent attitude toward their ADHD medication, and 61% reported to be nonadherent.
Most adolescents taking medication for attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) report that they are indifferent toward their medication and frequently skip doses, according to data published in the Journal of Adolescent Health.
Young Adults With ADHD Frequently Skip Medication During College Transition
A new study in the Journal of Developmental & Behavioral Pediatrics finds that the transition from living at home to going to college is the worst period for medication adherence for young adults with ADHD, and that young adults in the midst of transition only took 53.53% of their medication doses.
Structural Differences in the ADHD Brain
Scientists have been able to map out areas of the brain that are affected by childhood ADHD and adult ADHD, and have noticed that the brain morphology changes as an individual also ages. This study, published in the Public Library of Science, is the first to bridge the gap between childhood and adulthood ADHD by studying the brain patterns of young adults.
Is it Really ADHD or is it Trauma?
While ADHD is a very real executive functioning brain issue that affects 7.2% of adolescents globally (according to CHADD)—there is major problem with this situation. All too often, nobody takes into account the other likely diagnosis: Trauma.
Women with undiagnosed ADHD at risk of suicide, says US psychologist
Girls and women with undiagnosed Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) are at risk of anxiety, depression and suicide, a leading American clinical psychologist has said. Dr Ellen B Littman said because of societal expectations, girls with the condition tend to try to conform in class, so are less likely to demonstrate the hyperactivity seen in boys with the condition, but still have “internal chaos and restlessness”.
Can ADHD Increase the Odds a Young Person Will Smoke?
In a nutshell, yes. But experts say there's a lot to it, including corresponding behavioral disorders and even gender.